Arlington is one of DFW’s most dynamic and centrally located cities, offering big-city amenities with convenient access to both Dallas and Fort Worth. Learn why commuters, young families, corporate relocaters and long-term homeowners are all finding their place in Arlington.
Why Arlington? Big‑City Energy with Suburban Ease
Arlington isn’t a quiet farm town on the edge of DFW, it’s a major city of nearly 400,000 people, perfectly placed halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth in eastern Tarrant County. Founded along the Texas & Pacific Railway in the 1870s, Arlington has grown into a hub for sports, entertainment, and higher education, home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags Over Texas, and The University of Texas at Arlington.
Covering almost 100 square miles, Arlington sits roughly 20 miles west of downtown Dallas and about the same distance east of downtown Fort Worth, with DFW International Airport only about 12 miles to the north. Residents enjoy a true “middle of everything” lifestyle with easy freeway access via I‑20, I‑30, and SH‑360, a wide range of neighborhoods and price points, and amenities that rival much larger cities. With a 2020 Census population of 394,266 and estimates just under 400,000 by 2024–2025, Arlington continues to see steady, mature growth.
Economically, Arlington is solidly middle‑income, with a median household income around $73,500 dollars(2025) and a diverse mix of employers in education, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and tourism. Yet for all its big‑city energy on game days, day‑to‑day life still feels suburban. Tree‑lined streets, established subdivisions, neighborhood parks, and local shopping centers are spread all across the city.
What Makes Arlington Special:
- Major DFW City: One of the largest cities in North Texas, with nearly 400,000 residents and a long history as a rail, manufacturing, and university town between Dallas and Fort Worth.
- Central Metroplex Location: Roughly 20 miles from both Downtown Dallas and Downtown Fort Worth, and about 12 miles from DFW International Airport, with I‑20, I‑30, and SH‑360 providing fast regional access.
- Sports & Entertainment District: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Texas Live!, and Six Flags Over Texas make Arlington a year‑round destination for NFL, MLB, concerts, and family fun.
- Neighborhood Variety: Established central neighborhoods, newer subdivisions in south and southwest Arlington, townhomes, and higher‑end golf‑course and lake‑area homes offer options at almost every price point.
- Solid Local Economy: A diversified job base in education, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism supports a median household income in the low‑ to mid‑$70,000s.
- Parks, Trails & Lifestyle: More than 80 parks and green spaces, including River Legacy Parks and miles of trails, plus shopping, dining, and cultural venues spread across multiple town centers.
Arlington Housing Market Stats
How To Use These Charts
Use these charts to track; Days on Market, Closed Sales, Sales Price and Shows to Pending.
Just hover over the image to see specific data points for each month.
SALES PRICE
The median sales price represents what price Arlington homes actually sold for in any given month, not what sellers hoped to get. This is the single most important number for understanding real estate market conditions in Arlington, a well established hub positioned ideally between Dallas and Fort Worth and just 12 min south of DFW International Airport.
Why median matters more than average: Arlington’s evolving housing market ranges from starter condos/townhomes under $125,000 to grand estates exceeding $2,500,000. The median finds the exact middle point, half the homes sold for more, half sold for less. This eliminates distortion from short sales and overpaying.
For Sellers: rising median prices can signal strong buyer demand among Arlington’s expansive population (398,400 as of 2023, up from 394,431 in 2020).
For Buyers: tracking price trends reveals whether you’re getting appreciation potential or negotiating leverage. The gap between list prices and sales prices tells you everything about market power. When homes sell at or above list, sellers control negotiations. When sales prices fall below listings, buyers have leverage.
MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET
Median Days On Market Shows: how many days a home in Arlington sits on the market before going under contract. The median approach takes the highest and lowest numbers and finds the exact middle, eliminating distortion from extreme outliers like quick cash sales or overpriced listings that sit for months.
Why It’s Important: This number reveals everything about supply and demand dynamics in Arlington. Low days on market (under 30 days) means strong buyer demand. Homes are moving fast and multiple offers are common. High days on market (over 60 days) signals buyer selectivity, more inventory relative to demand, and significant negotiating power.
For Sellers: Understanding current days on market helps set realistic expectations about timing and pricing strategy. If homes are selling in 20 days, the market rewards well-priced properties. If homes are sitting for 90 days, you need aggressive pricing and marketing to compete effectively.
For Buyers: This metric tells you whether you need to make quick decisions or have time for thorough due diligence. Seasonal patterns matter with Spring and Summer typically showing lower days on market as family buyers coordinate with school schedules.
MEDIAN SHOWS TO PENDING
Median Shows to Pending Reveals: how many showings a home in Arlington received before going under contract. This metric helps sellers understand what’s normal when their home gets showings and helps buyers gauge competition levels in Arlington’s market.
Why It’s Important: Low shows to pending (under 10) means buyers are making quick decisions. It signals a strong seller’s market where well-priced homes receive offers fast. High shows to pending (over 20) indicates buyer selectivity, with people touring many properties before committing. This data reveals which price ranges and cities have the most buyer interest.
For Sellers: If Arlington homes are averaging 8 showings before going pending, getting 15 showings without offers signals a pricing or presentation problem. This gives you realistic expectations and helps you adjust strategy before losing valuable market time.
For Buyers: High shows to pending means you have time to be selective without losing properties to faster-moving competition. Combine shows to pending with days on market to understand complete market dynamics. Low numbers on both metrics mean hot seller’s market, high numbers mean buyers have the advantage.
CLOSED SALES
Closed Sales Represent: the total number of residential homes that successfully sold in Arlington each month. Unlike active listings or pending contracts, these are actual completed sales where financing cleared, inspections passed, appraisals came in at value, and both parties made it through closing.
Why It’s Important: This is the heartbeat of the local market. High volume signals buyer confidence and healthy fundamentals, while declining volume reveals market friction. Rising prices with increasing volume signals a genuine seller’s market, while rising prices with declining volume suggests weakening momentum.
For Sellers: High closed sales volume indicates strong buyer activity and favorable selling conditions. You’re competing in a market with proven absorption rates, meaning well-priced homes are selling consistently.
For Buyers: High volume means more competition and faster-moving inventory. Declining volume creates opportunities for patient negotiation and gives you time to be selective without losing properties to faster-moving competition.
Bobby Franklin
Realtor®
Serving DFW | Ellis County
16 Northgate Dr. Ste 100
Waxahachie, TX 75165
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